What's the difference?

Present Simple and Present Continuous

Present Simple Present Continuous

Things which are always true: Things which are happening at the moment of
speaking:
Water boils at 100 degrees.
The water is boiling now, so you can
put in the pasta.

Permanent situations (or nearly permanent; true for a Temporary situations:

few years at least):
Julie is living in Paris for a few
Julie lives in London. months (usually she lives in London).

Situations which are slowly changing:

I'm getting better and better at

speaking English.

Habits or things we do regularly: Temporary or new habits:

I drink coffee every morning. I'm drinking too much coffee these

days because I'm so busy at work.

Annoying habits (usually with 'always'):

My flatmate is always leaving the

kitchen in a mess!

Future events which are part of a timetable: Definite future plans:

My plane leaves at eight tonight. I'm meeting John after class today.

To talk about the future after certain words ('when'

'until' 'after' 'before' 'as soon as'):

I'll call you when I get home.

To talk about what happens in books, plays and films: To talk about people in pictures and photos:

At the end of the book, the In this photo, my mother is

detective catches the killer. walking beside a lake.